In a world of tweets, deadlines and lengthy corporate meetings, not many take the time to appreciate nature or recognise the importance of conserving it. Hyderabad-based Sunil Kumar is different in this regard; a man on a mission, he is committed to pursuing his cause of creating awareness about global warming and climate change.
Sunil recently embarked on The International Antarctic Expedition, an annual expedition that helps people understand the first-hand effects of global warming. He is the only Hyderabadi and one among 15 Indians who were selected this year for the expedition led by Robert Swan, renowned environmentalist, polar explorer and the first person on the planet to have walked to both the North and South Poles.
A voice against global warming
A chartered accountant by profession, Sunil aims to spread awareness about global warming in the financial management community. “In my profession, a majority of the people are completely unaware of sustainability, climate change and other environmental issues. They are only into money and finance-related activities. I thought there would be a possibility of a major change once this community is made aware about sustainability and what is really happening in the rest of the world. Thus, when we are sitting in a meeting in which people are taking decisions that affect the entire company, we’ll be taking decisions that are environmentally viable too. This way, the impact will be huge,” he says, passionately.
Sunil feels there would be a greater chance in bringing about a change on how the world approaches critical environmental issues if several communities acknowledge the crisis and take steps accordingly. “An activist may get the job done by raising their voice against environmental degradation but a Chartered Accountant can do a lot more, because if such communities are aware, the results would be much greater. So I thought I should take the first step,” says the 25-year-old.
The expedition
Sunil labels his chilling tour to Antarctica spanning two weeks from March 13 to 25 transformational. “I learnt a lot about the biodiversity of the continent. Also, we went camping on ice without any tents. We just had a sleeping bag and a hand-warmer. I decided to go on the expedition as I wanted to experience the chilling temperatures in that part of the world — that divine thing of being on ice,” he says, emotionally.
Sunil also credits the trip for strengthening his conviction on global warming. “According to NASA, a glacier called Larsen B-Shelf glacier had got separated from Antarctica, and we saw with our own eyes, parts of that Larsen B-Shelf floating around. I can confidently say that global warming is real,” he states, firmly.
The Hyderabadi is now determined to share his findings and spread awareness about core environmental issues in the financial community. “The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) helped me raise funds for this expedition and I plan to start raising awareness through ICWAI since it has access to lakhs of students and qualified people. I also plan to reach out to chartered accountancy institutes,” Sunil reveals, while adding that he’s also looking to join an NGO to spread the message of global warming.
There’s more in store for the determined youngster. He is the only Indian to have been invited to join Robert Swan for a South Pole expedition in December. “It’s going to be an extremely memorable trip as a few technologies are going to be tested, such as a NASA designed technology that converts urine into fresh water with minerals and skiing using ‘kites technology’ powered by wind and solar technology that converts ice into hot water, which will be used for cooking in Antarctica,” he reveals.
An appeal for funds
The South Pole energy challenge, however, requires $100,000 and Sunil is looking for sponsors to support him in this cause. It will also make him the youngest man from India to ski to the South Pole. Those willing to sponsor may contact him on 91-9642820089.
suhas@newindianexpress.com